sports MADISON, Wis. – Special teams once again hurt Bemidji State’s chances of snapping its long winless streak. But the Beavers still rallied to earn a point against Wisconsin.
Danny Mattson’s unassisted goal with 14 minutes to go in regulation tied the game at 2-2, and the Beavers and the Badgers...
Bemidji, 56619

Bemidji Minnesota P.O. Box 455 56619

2013-02-09 21:01:43

MADISON, Wis. – Special teams once again hurt Bemidji State’s chances of snapping its long winless streak. But the Beavers still rallied to earn a point against Wisconsin.

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Danny Mattson’s unassisted goal with 14 minutes to go in regulation tied the game at 2-2, and the Beavers and the Badgers skated to a 2-2 tie in Western Colligate Hockey Association action Friday night at the Kohl Center.

The Beavers, who were swept in their last two series and have lost four in a row, are now 5-16-6 overall and 4-12-5 in conference play. However, BSU is still 0-8-3 in the last 11 games and haven’t scored on the power play since Jan. 5 against Western Michigan.

With the tie, BSU’s record against Wisconsin is 0-5-1 all time.

Nic Kerdiles scored on the power play for the Badgers with eight minutes to go in the first half.

Wisconsin (11-9-7, 8-6-7 WCHA) led 1-0 at the intermission and outshot the Beavers 8-6 – including putting the first five shots of the game.

However, the Beavers got back into the game with an odd goal from freshman Phil Brewer at the 10:49 mark of the second period.

Brewer had an odd angle on Badger goaltender Joel Rumple. He shot the puck and it hit Rumple’s left skate and went across the line.

Officials reviewed the play and ruled it an unassisted goal for Brewer.

Later in the second period, the Beavers had a 5-on-3 opportunity after a penalty on Wisconsin’s Brandon Woods for cross checking. BSU goaltender Mathieu Dugas left the ice for an extra attacker. In the meantime, the Badgers’ Frankie Simonelli was called for a trip.

That put both Woods and Simonelli in the penalty box at the same time, giving the Beavers a full two-minute 5-on-3 power play.

The Badgers killed it, allowing just 5 shots on goal on the two-man advantage.

After that, Wisconsin used their momentum to even the score with just a minute to go in the second frame.

Sean Little beat Dugas from the slot at the 19:01 mark of the second to give the Badgers a 2-1 lead going into the break.

However, the Beavers pulled even thanks to a Wisconsin mistake halfway through the third period.

Danny Mattson intercepted a bad Badger pass and took it in for an unassisted tally at the 6:08 mark of the third.

Both goaltenders made some athletic saves to keep the game tied as the third period went on.

Wisconsin outshot BSU 16-7 in the third period and 3-1 in overtime.

Overall, the Badgers registered 40 shots on goal to BSU’s 27.

Dugas was solid in net for the Beavers, making 38 saves on the night. Rumple made 25 saves for Wisconsin.

The two teams return to the ice for the series finale at 7:07 p.m. today at the Kohl Center.

Jack Hittinger is the sports editor of the Bemidji Pioneer. He is also the Bemidji State beat writer. He hails from the Great State of Michigan. Read his Bemidji State blog at http://thebeaverblog.areavoices.com/ and follow him on Twitter at @Jackhitts.